Christchurch

[alun j.]

Following Wedger's thread.......it is worth noting changes if you plan to go out of Christchurch Harbour.

 

We came in on Thurs to find the inner sets of buoys had gone and replaced with a couple of yellow ones.

 

Les had called me up earlier to warn me of this and about the ground swell breaking on the Bar.

 

The swell had been noticeable throughout the day.....and really eerie on a flat calm sea. Earlier, around LW [and it wasn't low with such a tiny tide], there were great big 'rollers' breaking on the Beerpans ......very impressive!

 

We came in at 3.30 [ between the two HWs] and wondered what the fuss was, with only a little of wave action on the shallowest water.

 

Following my track on the plotter, coming back in, the yellow buoys seemed to be right in the 'channel'........so pass close to these...or slightly to the N or E of them [on the landward side]; these inshore markers are not the most critical for depth and there's still plenty of water in the channel here. The shallowest area is out between the last two sets of buoys [apparently it was too rough here on THurs to get these up.....I expect they've gone now as it was calm yesterday morning.... must go check over this w.end]

 

I might be guessing here, but I think it is change here, at the end of the Bar, that starts the process of channel change that seems to happen every year... with the sand\gravel movement deflecting the river water coming down.

 

When the next calm comes, I'll update any changes noticed and position of buoys \ channel.

 

Alun.

[bass gas]

 

 

a freind of ours is in rnli at christchurch , and he said the same as alun the yellow bouys indicate the centre of chanel

 

 

garry

[Paul J]

These were taken this morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

[alun j.]

Update.......went for a look\see this pm.... about 3 hours into the flood tide.

 

The outer red\green buoys are still there .... but I'm not sure about a 'channel' as they seemed to be sitting in breaking surf !! ....and out there was the shallowest bit of our path out on Thurs.

 

As I was looking a sailing boat was coming down the Run....so I stayed and watched its path out [wondering how much of a keel it had!!].....swiftly past the yellow buoys [in the deeper part], they then saw the surf, slowed and turned to the red\green buoys. Realising it was not best to go between them, they crept up but went E. of the green one . Looking for the least swell , they went slowly towards the outermost buoys, but took several breakers over the bow before clearing the Bar and into the relatively quieter [ and deeper] water.

 

Take care and watch the waves as you go out.......it seems to be changing shape and flattening on the outer edge.

 

Alun.

[alun j.]

Nice photos. Paul!

 

You can just make out the red\green buoys in the breaking surf in one of them.........see what I mean?

 

Alun.

[Dave P]

Went out on Dat Dam Boat with Dan today. On the way out at 7.00am the last remaining reds & greens were there, but coming back at 11.00am they had gone! Eyes were therefore glued to the depth gauge for the run in.

[alun j.]

Friday update....... with the big tides this weekend, give yourselves plenty of time and water to get back in. The ebb in the afternoon will run away very quickly and leave you in the breaking surf if you leave it any later than 2hr 30 min before LW to come over the Bar.

 

When going out......keep close to most of the yellow buoys.......but watch the last one !!!; it lies just before a shallow bar. As you come near it turn sharp left [EAST] and go at least 50 m. before heading out.

 

On return..... follow your track ........or go way East and come up to the Outer yellow from the East; don't cut in too soon, get near the outer buoy before heading in to the next.

 

Hope this helps you avoid the banks and bars which are changing all the time??

 

Alun.